Syrian Army and Syrian Armed Forces units continued targeting Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) mercenary-terrorists in several areas in Damascus Countryside, Deir Ezzor, and Homs provinces, destroying a number of their vehicles and inflicting losses upon them.

Damascus Countryside ~ An army unit carried out concentrated strikes against movements and infiltration points of ISIS terrorists to the east of al-Sein airport in northeastern Damascus Countryside.
A military source said that the army unit killed a number of ISIS terrorists in the strikes and destroyed a tank and a vehicle equipped with a machinegun used by the terrorists.

Deir Ezzor ~ Army units, in cooperation with supporting forces and with aerial support, targeted ISIS gatherings and positions in the surroundings of Deir Ezzor city.
Local reporters in Deir Ezzor said that any army unit used a guided missile to destroy a machinegun-equipped vehicle for ISIS in the surroundings of the supplying brigade south of the city.
He added that the Syrian Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS positions in the surroundings of the graveyards area, Jenaid battalion, and the supplying brigade south of the city, which inflicted losses in personnel and equipment upon the terrorists.

Homs ~ A military source said that army units established full control over a large area about 15 km long and 25km wide which includes Fidda well, Fidda farm, and al-Hayr al-Gharbi castle to the south of T4 Airport 25 km in the countryside of Homs province, inflicting heavy loses in personnel and equipment upon ISIS terrorists.
Earlier, a military source said that army units destroyed 6 machinegun-equipped vehicles for ISIS in Ayed al-Hassoun hill and Oum al-Kheir hills in the eastern countryside of Homs province.

Russian Tu-22M3 bombers destroy command sites and ammunition depots for Daesh in Deir Ezzor ~ Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday that Russian Air Force bombed new sites for Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) mercenary-terrorists in Deir Ezzor Syrian province as in the framework of its participation to the war on terrorism at a request of the Syrian government.

Every year, Vladimir Putin takes the time to personally acknowledge individuals who excel in various categories of society; the arts and sciences. The entire ceremony is over an hour long, with each laureate addressing the assembly hall. I have selected only a few speakers, which showcase the general public perception of Vladimir Putin as President – much to the detriment of Western mainstream media.(Translation thanks to Inessa Sinchougova)

In the follow up to the phone conversation between Presidents Putin and Trump, where they agreed that a top priority in bilateral relations between Russia and the US is joining efforts in fighting their main threat, international terrorism, Russian political analyst Elena Suponina reviews why Barack Obama failed to pursue this agenda.
According to the announcement on President Putin’s official website, “the two leaders emphasized that joining efforts in fighting the main threat – international terrorism – is a top priority. The presidents spoke about the close coordination of actions between Russia and the USA aimed at defeating ISIS [Islamic State, Daesh] and other terrorists groups in Syria”.
… … …
Russian political analyst and expert on Asia and the Middle East, Elena Suponina delved into why Obama, Trump’s predecessor, was so reluctant to actually take on the terrorists directly.
The U.S. former administrations have repeatedly attempted to adapt radical Islam to their own needs, in other words to use the extremists in their own interests…………

Syrian Army units, backed by the supporting Forces, established full control over the 3rd deserted Battalion in Palmyra and continued advance towards Tal al-Dabe’ in the countryside of Homs and Damascus.

A military source told SANA Sunday that the army units established full control over the 3rd deserted Battalion north of Elab al-Tayas hills in Palmyra area in the eastern countryside of Homs province after eliminating a number of ISIS terrorists and destroying their weapons.

The source added that the army units continued pursuing the ISIS terrorists towards Jehar Roundabout in the east direction.

Earlier today, the army units eliminated scores of ISIS terrorists and destroyed their weapons and ammunition after targeting their fortifications and movement axes on the direction of al-Nasiriyeh-al-Qaryateen towns in the eastern countryside of
Damascus and southeastern countryside of Homs province.

The source added that the army units in cooperation with the supporting forces continued their operations against the ISIS terrorist organization and chased its members who fled away, achieving advance towards Tal al-Dabe’ al-Sharqi in the area.
… … …
The Russian sappers have demined more hectares in Aleppo city of mines and explosives planted by terrorists in the eastern neighborhoods before they had been expelled out of it.
… … …
Damascus Countryside Governor Ala’a Ibrhaim said that engineering units in the Syrian Arab Army are working on dismantling IEDs and mines inside al-Figeh spring now that the army has reestablished control over……………………….

Syrian Arab Army soldiers recaptured Ain al-Fijah’s main pumping station, which vitally provides water for the capital Damascus, in Wadi Barada, Sunday.

Engineers are scheduled to arrive in the town this week, to carry out repairs on the facility, which was damaged during fighting between the Syrian Army and the mercenary armed gangs of terrorists.

When the terrorist groups had control over the area, they cut water supplies to Damascus, leaving more than 6 million residents without water.

The General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces announced that the Syrian Arab army and the popular defense groups and the supporting forces have accomplished their mission of restoring security and stability to the towns and villages in Wadi Barada area in the western countryside of Damascus after a series of successful military operations……………….

The Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic refuted all rumors and news about the health of President Bashar al-Assad, affirming that they are absolutely incorrect and that President al-Assad is in excellent health and carrying out his work normally.

The Presidency said that the Syrian people have become immunized against such lies that have been plentiful since the beginning of the war on Syria, asserting that such lies are no more than dreams and attempts to raise flagging morale………….

Russian President Vladimir Putin has had his first telephone conversation with new US President Donald Trump. They discussed the joint fight against international terrorism, the situation in the Middle East, the Ukrainian crisis and plans for a future meeting of the two leaders.

“The Presidents have spoken in favor of establishing a real coordination between the US and Russian actions in order to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Syria,” the statement said.

The two leaders also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as Iran’s nuclear program. “Major aspects of the Ukrainian crisis have been also touched upon,” the Kremlin announced.

The leaders of Russia and the US have noted a need to restore economic ties “to stimulate” further development of the relationship between the nations.

However, earlier in January, Trump said that he would consider lifting restrictions if Moscow cooperates with Washington on certain issues, such as nuclear arms reduction.

Russia has been cautious about the prospects for a potential “reset” with the US under the new administration. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said the country has no “naive expectations” and is under no “illusions”………………….

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world, the Citadel of Aleppo, has reopened for visitors following the liberation of the northern Syrian city from militants in December, as shown by footage on Saturday. ~ Russian soldiers were amongst the the first tourists to take in the sights of the Citadel together with locals from Aleppo. The Citadel is a part of the Ancient City of Aleppo, which has been a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site since 1986. Usage of the Citadel has been traced back to at least the 3rd millennium BC.

The Turkish security forces are training some Syrians as part of a force to take action in the areas which they occupy in northern Syria.

According to the ‘Yeni Shafak’ newspaper, translated by the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, 450 Syrians undergo a training by the Turkish armed forces to be deployed into the main Syrian-occupied Turkish cities.

It should function as a guarantee for the security of the area.

“Turkey wants to train up to 5,000 police officers as part of this project,” added the paper, with a video of training during which the trained fighters chant slogans, including: “Allahou- Akbar against all oppressors! Long live Turkey! Long live Erdogan! Long live free and worthy Syria!”………………….

On January 16-19, a delegation of UNESCO experts visited Aleppo, after it was freed from mercenary-terrorist groups, to assess the damage caused by al-Nusra and Daesh gangs to the monuments of architecture.

About 60% of the Old City of Aleppo is heavily damaged; another 30% is completely destroyed, according to preliminary results of the UNESCO delegation.

Take a look at the consequences of the fighting in Aleppo in Sputnik’s photo gallery.

“Every place that I went, every person that I spoke to, I asked this question to them. And, without hesitation they said <<there are no moderate rebels. Who are these moderate rebels that people keep speaking of?>>. Regardless of the names of these groups, the strongest fighting force on the ground in Syria is Al Nusra or Al Qaeda and ISIS. That is a fact”.

“We worked over the last two days painstakingly around the clock to make this meeting a success, and we did everything we could to remove the obstructions. Therefore, we believe that Astana meeting succeeded in achieving the goal of consolidating the cessation of hostilities for a specific period of time, which would pave the way for dialogue among the Syrians,” al-Jaafari told a press conference in the capital of Kazakhstan, that hosted a two-day meeting on the crisis in Syria.

He expressed thanks to the Kazakh leadership “for all the facilitations it provided to help our meetings and activities succeed.”

Al-Jaafari also extended thanks to the “Russian and Iranian friends” for their great efforts that have effectively contributed to make a success of the cessation of hostilities in order to reach towards stopping the Syrian bloodshed and working together with these groups to eliminate terrorism and reconstruct Syria.

“Stop playing with fire and betting on losing cards. Everybody has lost, including the countries supporting terrorism. Terrorism has arrived in their own backyards, which is something that we warned of from the very beginning,” said al-Jaafari.

“It was distressful that we had to sit in the same room with other Syrians that are linked to foreign agendas and are working for foreign authorities, and some of them are committed to terrorist groups,” said al-Jaafari, noting that this also happened before in Moscow and Geneva.
“However, no matter the cost, we would do that to save our state and our people. We do that according to a certain framework and a certain agenda, and also in light of the expected meetings, and we don’t do it without planning,” he added……………….

Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, stated that Damascus was ready to do “whatever it takes”to “stop this bloodshed”despite it being “extremely painful” for Syrian government officials to sit in the same room as other Syrians allegedly “linked to foreign agendas and working for foreign powers”. ~ He made the statement during a press conference at the International Meeting on the Syrian Settlement in Astana, Tuesday.

Soros has provided funding to at least 56 of the march’s “partners” including “key partners” such as the National Resource Defense Council, which opposes President Donald Trump’s environmental policies, and Planned Parenthood, which opposes Trump’s stance on abortion.

Touted by the mainstream media and its organizers as a spontaneous, grassroots demonstration in support of female rights and other progressive causes, the Women’s March on Washington drew over 500,000 to the streets of the US capital on January 21.

It’s likely few if any of the assembled knew that over 50 of the groups involved in forming the march have received funding from billionaire activist George Soros.

Preliminary research conducted by the alternative media indicates Soros has provided funding to at least 56 of the march’s “partners,” including “key partners” such as the National Resource Defense Council, which opposes President Donald Trump’s environmental policies, and Planned Parenthood, which opposes Trump’s stance on abortion.

… … …

For instance, activist Harry Belafonte is named as an honorary co-chair. Belafonte sits on the board of the Advancement Project, which received significant funding of four primary recipients of money from electoral reform group the Election Administration Fund. The Fund received at least US$5.1 million from the Open Society Institute. Belafonte also founded the Gathering for Justice group, the recipient of numerous grants from Soros’ Open Society Foundations ever since.

… … …

Other groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Constitutional Rights, CODEPINK, Green For All, NARAL Pro-Choice, People for the American Way, the Southern Poverty Law Center and 350.org, many of which have received Soros money……………..

Six Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers launched airstrikes on Daesh arms and ammunition depots in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry added that all targets have been destroyed.

Head of the Syrian Arab Republic delegation to the Astana meeting Bashar al-Jaafari said on Monday that the meeting aims at fixing the cessation of hostilities except for the areas where terrorist organizations are active.

In a statement at the opening of Astana meeting on Monday, Al-Jaafari asserted that herds of Takfiri terrorists were gathered, trained, financed, armed, and brought across the borders with the neighboring countries.

“Astana hosting the intra-Syrian meeting represents the mediation policy and the openness of Kazakhstan, and is the fruit of the joint efforts exerted by several parties, particularly the Russia and Iran, with the aim of fixing the decision of cessation of hostilities all over Syria except for the areas where terrorist organizations such as ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra and others which rejected to join the agreement are active,” he said.

“Syria which we love is the homeland of diversity in all its forms, a homeland where the Syrians believe in the basis and principles of their independent democratic secular state based upon political pluralism, the rule of law, independence of the judiciary system, equality among citizens in rights and duties, guaranteeing cultural and social variety among all spectrum of the Syrian people, as well as maintaining the continuation of the work of the state institutions,” he said.

Al-Jaafari pointed out that: “al-Nusra is using water as a military tool, and since it is identified by the UN as a terror organization, al-Nusra cannot be defended, and the military operation against the terrorists depriving the people of Damascus from drinking water cannot be considered a breach of negotiations”…………………

Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov read out a joint statement agreed on by Russia, Iran and Turkey, stating that there could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict. The announcement was made at the International Meeting on the Syrian Settlement in Astana on Tuesday.

The talks on the Syrian peace process concluded in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, with the three guarantor countries – Russia, Turkey and Iran – issuing a joint statement establishing trilateral support for the Syrian ceasefire and paving the way for the Geneva talks due February 8.

Russia has received coordinates of Daesh targets in Al-Bab, Aleppo Province, from the US via the ‘direct line,’ the Russian Defense Minsitry said Monday.

The United States has provided coordinates of the terrorists’ targets in the city of Al-Bab in Aleppo province for Russian airstrikes. After the reconaissance check, Russia and two coalition jets have conducted joint airstrikes on the Daesh targets in the region.

“On January 22, the Russian command center at the Hmeymim airbase has received coordinates of Daesh targets in Al-Bab, Aleppo province, via the ‘direct line’ from the US-led coalition headquarters. After further data verification with the assistance of unmanned aircraft and space reconaissance, the Russian Aerospace Forces and two jets of the international coalition have conducted airstrikes on the terrorists’ targets,” the statement said.

President Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to the Japanese TBS TV channel in which he said the upcoming Astana talks will be about talking between the government and the terrorist groups in order to make ceasefire and to allow those terrorist groups to join the reconciliations in Syria.

On Sunday, a meeting between the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic, headed by UN-diplomat Bashar al-Jaafari, and Russian delegation, headed by Alexander Lavrentiev has started.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said that Astana meeting is considered part of the general efforts exerted for solving the crisis in Syria.

He added that the atmosphere ahead of Astana meeting tomorrow is very positive, pointing out that the preparations are concentrated for convening the meeting.

Head of the Syrian Arab Republic delegation to Astana meeting, Bashar al-Jaafari said the meeting will focus mainly on firmly establishing lines of the cessation of hostilities and separating the terrorist organizations of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra from other armed groups that joined the cessation of hostilities.

“There is a schedule and an agenda for the meeting with its major aim focused on a set of points, which are firmly establishing the lines of the cessation of hostilities, separating terrorist groups such as ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra from other groups that have agreed to the cessation of hostilities or those who agreed to go to [Astana] meeting and reaching common denominators regarding the fight against terrorism,” said al-Jaafari.

“Turkey is a state that has been violating the Syrian sovereignty, providing assistance to the terrorist groups and impeding the peaceful solution. As for us, there is no Syrian-Turkish dialogue at the government level,” said al-Jaafari……………..

Syrian Arab Army troops made important advances in the countryside southeast of Aleppo [footage captured on Sunday]. ~ On December 23, 2016, Syrian officials announced that pro-government forces had established full control over Aleppo, following intense fighting between the Syrian Arab Army and the mercenary-terrorists forces.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his spokesperson, Sean Spicer, have chastised U.S. media outlets. ~ The White House has promised to fight “tooth and nail” efforts to “delegitimize” Donald Trump’s presidency as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus blasted the media for its coverage of the inauguration. ~ In reference to the Time article, Trump said, “But this is how dishonest the media is”. ~ (…read more…)

Six long-range bombers have flown all the way from Russia to the Syrian governorate of Deir ez-Zor to attack Islamic State (Daesh, IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) targets, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. A similar raid was conducted on Saturday.

The Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers flew through Iranian and Iraqi airspace on Monday and conducted airstrikes on the terrorist group’s command centers and weapons stockpiles, the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian military said all targets were successfully destroyed.

As in Saturday’s raids, fighter jets from Russia’s airbase in Khmeimim, Syria, were scrambled to protect the bombers in Syrian airspace as they carried out their mission, according to the statement…………………

Culture Minister Mohammad al-Ahmad affirmed that the destruction of the façade of the Roman Theatre and the Tetrapylon in the archeological site of Palmyra by ISIS terrorists is a war crime and a “Zionist demand” per excellence.

In a press conference at the National Museum in Damascus, al-Ahmad said “what happened last Friday is obviously a Zionist demand and a Zionist attempt supported by the West and the petroleum sheikhdoms to destroy our identity, heritage and civilization.”

He added that the monuments in Palmyra do not belong to Syria alone, but they belong to the whole world, “and here comes the role of the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards this horrible brutality unprecedented in history,” calling on the international community to support Syria in its battle for defending Palmyra against those who want to destroy its ruins and civilization………………….

Turkish officials confirmed that Turkey’s Chief of Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar met Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO military leaders with IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan for the first high-level meeting [Tuesday 17/1/2017 in Brussels] between senior security officials from the two countries for first time in years. ~ Military leaders of 14 countries of the U.S.-led coalition against Daesh on Jan. 15 agreed to support Turkey’s ongoing Euphrates Shield operation. They confirmed their support for the Euphrates Shield operation, following the Conference of Global Coalition in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. ~ (links for sources at Jerusalem Post and Hurriyet Daily News).

On 17th January 2017, Vladimir Putin met with the new President of Moldova, Igor Dodon. In answering journalists’ questions, Putin explained that he doesn’t believe that compromising material on Trump is possessed by Russia’s authorities. Furthermore, he may have alluded to the specific people behind the ‘Trump dossier’ by mentioning the puppeteers of the Kiev Maidan – aka. Mr McCain, Mr Biden and Mrs Nuland, amongst others in the neocon administration. What are your thoughts on this address? ~ (English translation from Russian by Inessa Sinchougova)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that he is “confident” that that a resolution on the war in Syria can be reached.

All parties understand that the dynamics of the Syrian crisis have shifted since Russian President Vladimir Putin “went in,” Kerry said.

“I believe that the parties are now reaching a state of near exhaustion, that they understand that the dynamics have shifted, and it did the day that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin went in, and therefore there is a way to get to an end game here… I am confident it can be done, I have no doubt about it. ” Kerry said during a World Economic Forum conference.

In the last few years, the US secret services stepped up their efforts to recruit Russian diplomats, Lavrov said. ~ “We have not made public the full statistics on this matter. But recently, in the past few years and especially during Obama’s second stint, the number of such unfriendly actions directed at our diplomats have grown,” Lavrov said at a press conference wrapping up last year.

“The war may be stopped, and the rights of Christians, Muslims and other people who have lived all their life in Syria, in other regional countries, may be ensured first of all through the use of force, because it is necessary to beat terrorism ruthlessly and beat it completely,” Lavrov told reporters. ~ “That is what we are doing, helping the Syrian army and the militia, who jointly with the Syrian army are involved in the fight against terrorism.” ~ He pointed out that the US wanted to use Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist organization to topple Syria’s President Assad.

He stressed that Moscow welcomes Trump’s assertions that counterterrorism will be one of his priorities. Lavrov assessed that previous statements made by Trump and his team show that they will not use double standards in the war on terror. Russian Foreign Minister further said that Moscow shares Trump’s view that each country should be responsible for their own development.

DEIR EZZUR: People in Southeastern Deir Ezzur intensified protests against ISIL (Daesh, ISIS, IS), and engaged in street battles with them in two towns along the Euphrates River.

People in the towns of al-Mayadeen and al-Ashareh stormed several ISIL centers and set fire on them.

The popular uprising broke out after the ISIL terrorists’ advanced against the Syrian Army troops in the Southern and Southwestern outskirts of Deir Ezzur and cut off the a key road connecting the city to a military airport.

Residents of al-Mayadeen also set fire on several vehicles of ISIL’s so-called special police.
***
DEIR EZZUR: Entire members of a group of ISIL (Daesh, ISIS, IS) terrorists were killed in an unprecedented attack by unknown assailants on their base in Deir Ezzur.

A media source disclosed that several unknown assailants have stormed one of an ISIL position in the village of Hatleh.

The attackers first made all the 9 members of the group unconscious and then killed them………..

The seemingly endless war in Syria has claimed hundreds and thousands of lives and left millions injured. There are many Syrian Army soldiers among the casualties. For severely wounded servicemen, life changed forever after sacrificing both limbs and health in battle. Now they must return to civilian life, try to fit in, find a job and provide for their families.

RT Doc meets former servicemen determined not to allow their injuries hold them back in life. Taxi driver Somar Fauzi Al Amuri lost an arm and leg in an explosion. Even so, he sat behind the wheel as soon as he was discharged from hospital. Despite being unable to walk, shop keeper Maisam Majed Al Jerdi runs his own business. The city is far from being a disabled friendly place.

Instead of raging against their fate, because so many fellow soldiers died in battle, they think of themselves as the fortunate few. Survivors support each other and try hard to stay positive about the future. They say their bodies may be damaged but their spirit remains strong. Despite all odds, they soldier on, determined to live life to the full.

American personnel and armaments have been deployed alongside NATO, to Russia’s borders – but what are they defending exactly? What “freedom and democracy” is the US defending in Europe, when it is the single most armed and unruly army on earth? How many cases in point will it take – Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya? Nevertheless, Mr Obama goes out with a bang, obeying the commands of his puppeteers. (English translation from Russian by Inessa Sinchougova)

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NOTICE TO READERS

These infos are not intended to be shocking or to glorify violence in any way. These articles/images/videos are for educational purposes only, for documenting and try to explain the backdrop of a historical ruthless and bloody war, whose characteristics and details are routinely distorted and smothered by the dominant media.